Vitamin D is best known for its role in aiding with calcium absorption from the digestive system and promoting bone formation. However, it has many other actions including balancing immune function and supporting mood. Vitamin D is synthesized by the skin following exposure to ultraviolet rays from sunlight, but many people do not spend enough time outdoors and become deficient in this essential vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to numerous health conditions including osteoporosis, rickets, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, cancer, SAD (seasonal affective disorder), chronic pain and frequent infections.There is an obvious need to supplement with extra vitamin D especially in the elderly and children, during the winter, and for people with chronic diseases. Vitamin D3 is the most effective form of supplemental vitamin D (compared to vitamin D2, a less absorbable form). AOR’s Vegan Vitamin D3 is sustainably sourced from organic Lichen, making this a vegan-friendly formula. It is suspended in a medium chain triglyceride solution for maximal absorption and has a neutral flavour, making it effortless to take. AOR’s Vitamin D3 Liquid comes in two adult sizes and a child size with a calibrated dropper for accurate dosing. Up to 1000 IU is considered safe for people of all ages from infants to seniors. Talk to your healthcare provider about taking higher doses.

Label Information

NPN

80014547

Discussion

AOR’s vegan vitamin D3 is sustainably sourced from lichen and not from the commonly used oil from sheep’s wool. It is rapidly converted in the body to the active hormone 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, and helps in the development and maintenance of bones and the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus.

Take 6 Vdrops (0.2 mL) per day with food, or as directed by a qualified health care practitioner.

Cautions

Disclaimer

The information and product descriptions appearing on this website are for information purposes only, and are not intended to provide or replace medical advice to individuals from a qualified health care professional. Consult with your physician if you have any health concerns, and before initiating any new diet, exercise, supplement, or other lifestyle changes.

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 6 VDrops (0.2 ML)

Amount Per Serving

% Daily Value

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

1000 IU/25 mcg

Research Facts

The Need for SunshineUVB exposure to the skin epidermis produces vitamin D, which then undergoes hydroxylation (addition of OH or hydroxyl group) first in the liver and then in the kidneys to produce the active hormone 1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D. Studies have shown that children in areas ranging from Madrid, Spain to Maine, New York were approximately 50% deficit in vitamin D in the winter months. Apart from those who live in equilateral regions, most people do not synthesize sufficient amounts of vitamin D. For instance, in Edmonton, which is 52N, vitamin D synthesis is impaired from October through to March. This problem is further accentuated by misinformation and inappropriate statements of avoiding sun and overuse of sunscreen by public health services. No doubt sun over exposure is associated strongly with skin cancer but too little vitamin D synthesis also has its own unique health problems.Multiple PurposesVitamin D deficiencies have been associated with increased cardiovascular disorders, auto-immune diseases and cellular dysfunctions. Low Vitamin D is associated with chronic pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), poor immunity, mood disorders and even an increased risk of mortality by all causes. Studies also suggest that vitamin D has important immunological and antibacterial effects, and may be important for preventing infections and even the common cold.Pregnancy & InfantsVitamin D supplementation is also important during pregnancy and at very young ages, as inadequate vitamin D levels early in life have been associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disorders later in life. There may also be a link between vitamin D and autism, as autism is much more prevalent in areas of low sunlight. Vitamin D has also been shown to play a role in immunity, and may help to prevent placental infections during pregnancy.Bone Health for ChildrenThe most well-known role of vitamin D is its involvement in maintaining healthy bones. In children, vitamin D is essential for the proper growth and development of bones, and deficiency can result in rickets. Vitamin D is critical for bone health because it is required for the efficient utilization of dietary calcium. If vitamin D levels are too low, the body will begin to break down the bones to access calcium stores. Research has shown that vitamin D supplementation early in life leads to higher bone mineral density (BMD) at 7-9 years of age, and that adolescents with low vitamin D levels have lower BMD.Bone Health for Adults1, 25(OH) D is responsible for not only the bone development and growth in children and maintenance of bone in adults, but also for the prevention of osteoporosis and fractures in the elderly. In adults, supplementation with 800 IU of vitamin D has been linked to a 26% reduction of hip fractures and a 23% reduction in non-vertebral fractures. In adults and older individuals, vitamin D deficiency results in osteomalacia (a softening of the bones), a condition characterized by inadequate bone mineralization. Vitamin D is essential for the efficient utilization of dietary calcium. Blood calcium levels are tightly regulated. In a vitamin D deficient state, the amount of calcium absorbed is inadequate to satisfy the body’s requirement, this causes the body to release the hormone PTH (parathyroid hormone) which activates the cells (osteoclasts) to breakdown the bone to get the much needed calcium. This results in osteopenia and osteoporosis.Additionally, PTH causes the kidneys to excrete phosphate and the overall net result is a decrease in calcium phosphate, the major mineral required for mineralizing bone. The bone building cells-osteoblasts continue to deposit collagen matrix, resulting in rubbery matrix which expands upon hydration and causes pressure and a low grade unrelenting pain often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia.D Deficiency & PainOne study found low levels of vitamin D in one in four patients who suffer from chronic pain. Patients with inadequate levels of vitamin D required nearly twice the dose of morphine that was used by patients with normal levels, and the vitamin D deficiency group used morphine for an average of 71.1 months compared to 43.8 months for non-deficient patients. These results led the researchers to hypothesize that while vitamin D deficiency is not the principle cause of chronic pain, it may be a contributing factor, and one that can be alleviated by supplementation.Muscular FunctionVitamin D is also important in the function of muscles. Research has shown that young girls (12-14 years old) with higher vitamin D levels demonstrate greater muscle power than those with lower levels. Muscle weakness, pain and changes in gait have been described in vitamin D insufficiency. This may be the reason that the elderly have more falls and consequently increased fracture rates.